Apply for the 2026 Market Season + Learn & Play Literacy Club

Issue #473

Author

Carla McNeil
January 11, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Rainfall Warning

 😜 Rain Joke - Why did the raindrop become a detective? 🕵️ 

 🗓️ New West Events - A slower start, but plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

 🗞️ New West Local News - Apply for the 2026 Market Season + Learn & Play Literacy Club

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 12.1 2023 - Record low -6.7 2017

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

 January 11, 2026

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🎭️ Burning Mom at Anvil Theatre – 2:00 PM

🧿 January Beading Workshop – 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

💑 Lunar New Year Loyal Love Boba Speed Dating Party – 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

🔮 Manifesting for 2026 – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

January 12, 2026

📖 Sensory Storytime (2-6 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

January 13, 2026

🗣️ English Conversation Circles at the Welcome Centre – 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

📚️ BYO Book Club – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📱 Bring Your Own Device Tech Cafe! – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧘 Re-Learning Self-Love Group Therapy – 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🎷 Get Jazzed! Winter '26 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎤 Itilia Kitchen Karaoke Nights – 8:00 PM

🕵️‍♂️ Wednesday Morning: The Tin Man Goes Missing!

Set your alarms for 6:15 AM tomorrow. Our mascot is currently heading to his second secret location in New Westminster.

The Stakes:

  • The Game: Guess the name of the business on our social media posts.

  • The Prize: Two tickets to the 7th Annual Rotary Bevies & Bites (Feb 13 Draw).

  • The Exclusive: We reveal the business names and the list of winners only right here in this newsletter. To see if your name is on the list, you must stay tuned for our Friday edition!

Remember: Every correct guess on social media earns you an entry into the monthly draw.

See you on [Facebook] and [Instagram] tomorrow morning. Let’s see who knows this city best!

Local makers, growers, and small business owners are invited to be part of the New West Farmers Market as vendor applications officially open to the public for the 2026 season.

The popular weekly market is welcoming a wide range of vendors to join its rotating lineup, offering the opportunity to showcase products to hundreds of regular attendees from across the New Westminster community. Applications are open to farmers, bakers, chefs, artisans, craftspeople, makers, and many other small businesses looking to connect directly with local shoppers.

The New West Farmers Market is known for its vibrant atmosphere, strong community support, and commitment to highlighting local talent and small-scale producers. Becoming a vendor offers not only sales opportunities, but also valuable exposure and connection within one of the city’s most-loved community spaces.

Interested vendors are encouraged to review the market’s guidelines, accepted vendor categories, and application requirements before applying.

This winter, young learners are invited to build strong literacy skills in a fun, supportive, and engaging environment at The Cove Indoor Play. Designed for children ages 5–8, the Learn & Play Literacy Club is an 8-week program that uses play-based learning to strengthen phonics, reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence—making literacy feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

Classes are intentionally kept small, allowing children to learn at their own pace through games, storytelling, and hands-on activities. Hosted at The Cove Indoor Play, the program blends learning with a welcoming, child-friendly space where curiosity and creativity thrive. It also supports BC Elementary literacy goals, helping children build a strong foundation for school success while nurturing a genuine love of reading.

Program Options
English Programs (Saturdays)
• Level 1 (Ages 5–6): 10:00–11:30 AM
• Level 2 (Ages 7–8): 1:00–2:30 PM
 January 24 – March 14, 2026

French Programs (Sundays)
• Club de littératie – Level 1 (Ages 5–6): 10:00 AM
• Level 2 (Ages 7–8): 1:00 PM
 January 25 – March 15, 2026

Each program includes 8 classes (12 total hours) in a warm, encouraging learning environment.

Cost: $378 per child
 Focus: Play-based learning, small groups, literacy confidence

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the raindrop become a detective? 🕵️ 

🗂️ It loved solving “drippy” mysteries! 🧩

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